How Kita Places Work in Germany: Types and Age Groups
“Kita” is short for Kindertagesstätte, the general German word for a day-care centre for children below school age. It is an umbrella term: some Kitas take babies and toddlers, some take children from about three until school, and many cover both. Germany also gives children a legal claim to a place from their first birthday, though finding the actual place is another matter, especially in a big city.
This page explains the main types of provision, the age groups, what the law says and how families in Frankfurt usually start. It is general information, not individual advice, and the rules change, so check the official sources named below.
The words you will meet
| German term | What it is | Typical age |
|---|---|---|
| Krippe | Group care for the youngest children, in its own centre or as a group inside a Kita | Under 3 |
| Kindergarten | Group care for older pre-school children | From 3 until school |
| Hort | After-school care for primary school children | School age |
| Kindertagespflege | Care by a registered childminder (Tagesmutter or Tagesvater), usually in small groups, in private or rented rooms | Mostly under 3, sometimes older |
| Kita | The umbrella word for centre-based care; often covers Krippe and Kindergarten together | Under 6 |
Terms differ a little between states and towns. Some centres run mixed-age groups, so one Kita may list several of these categories. Childminders are not centres: the care takes place in a home or rented room, often with a handful of children.
The legal right to a place
The rule sits in section 24 of the Eighth Book of the Social Code (SGB VIII), which is published online by the federal justice ministry on gesetze-im-internet.de. In summary:
- Under one year: a child is to be supported in a day-care centre or with a childminder if this is needed for the child’s development, or if the parents are working, looking for work, in training or study, or receiving certain integration support.
- From the first birthday until the third birthday: the child has a legal claim to early-years support in a centre or with a childminder.
- From the third birthday until school entry: the child has a legal claim to a place in a day-care centre.
The law also says that the public youth-welfare authorities must inform parents about places in their area and advise them on the choice. State law can add further rules. The claim does not by itself name a particular centre near your home, so many families apply to several providers.
Who runs Kitas
Centres are run by different organisations, called Träger. They include the local authority, church bodies, welfare organisations, parent-run associations and private companies. Each Träger sets its own educational approach, opening hours and house rules within the legal framework, which is why two centres on the same street can feel quite different. Some are bilingual or international; many are German-language only.
Cost and hours in Hesse
Costs depend on the state, the town and the provider. In Hesse, the state’s social ministry says that since 1 August 2018 a Kindergarten place is free of charge for up to six hours a day from a child’s third birthday until school entry. For care beyond six hours, only a share of the fee that matches the extra time may be charged. The ministry’s page does not cover children under three, so fees for them depend on the city and the provider, and the scheme applies to centres rather than childminders. The details are set by state and local rules, so ask the city or your chosen centre what applies to your child. Meals and extended hours often cost extra. You can read the ministry’s explanation on its page on fee exemption.
Applying in Frankfurt
Frankfurt families register their childcare needs through the city’s online portal, Kindernet Frankfurt, which began in December 2015 and replaced the old approach of asking each centre in person, according to a local press report from the time. An information brochure for the portal, dated November 2024, describes the steps as registration, a pre-registration (Vormerkung) of the child, and then the allocation process, with the places themselves awarded by the centres and childminders. The brochure advises pre-registering only for places you would actually accept: once you receive an offer that matches the care you asked for, the legal claim is regarded as met, and turning it down can have consequences for that claim. Ask the city if you are unsure what applies to you.
Waiting lists and deadlines are not fixed. Because places in a city are limited, people often register as early as the portal allows and approach centres directly as well. The portal itself is the place to check the current process.
What to look at when choosing
- Age range and group structure: does the centre take your child at the age you need, and does the group move up with them?
- Hours: opening and closing times, and whether they fit a working day.
- Settling-in: many centres introduce new children gradually, with a parent present at first. Ask how it is done.
Where this fits for expat families
For a wider look at nurseries, kindergartens and schools for international families, see the overview of childcare, kindergarten and school in Germany. If you are looking for informal groups and social contact for babies and toddlers, the page on playgroups and meet-ups in Frankfurt may help.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can a child go to a Kita in Germany?
The legal claim begins at the first birthday. Before that, section 24 provides for a place when the child’s development requires it or the parents are working, studying or looking for work.
What is the difference between Krippe and Kindergarten?
A Krippe cares for children under three, and a Kindergarten for children from about three until they start school. Many Kitas run both under one roof.
Is a Kita free in Hesse?
Not entirely. Hesse has a scheme that covers fees for up to six hours a day for children aged three and over, but other fees, meals and extra hours may apply. Check the current rules with the city or provider.